Breadcrumb

Choosing premises - checklist

The type of business premises you choose can have a big effect on your productivity, your employees' happiness - and your business overheads. Here's how to make the right choice

Identify the type of premises you need for your business (eg office, retail or light industrial premises).

Consider whether you can work from home or a co-working space.

Consider how accessible the premises need to be for customers, visitors and for employees travelling to work (eg parking, roads and public transport).

Decide where you would like to be located. Do you want to be in the centre of town, on a light industrial estate or an out of town shopping centre? Do you need to be near suppliers, similar businesses or employees?

Determine your space requirements.

Plan the type of layout you will need, taking into account workflow, the working environment (eg lighting and ventilation), and health and safety.

Consider how important the appearance of the premises is, and how this will affect your business' image.

Determine what infrastructure you need (eg utilities, cabling and security).

Consider how likely your premises requirements are to change in future, for example, if your business grows.

Consider any possible restrictions on your use of the premises (eg planning permission).

Decide what tenure will suit you best: a licence, a lease or outright freehold purchase.

Decide how flexible you are prepared to be in acquiring premises which need to be adapted or improved to suit your particular needs.

Decide how much you are prepared to spend on acquiring the premises and paying continuing rental and running costs.

Use contacts, commercial property agents, local business organisations, websites and publications to find potential premises.

Consider employing a professional adviser, such as a local chartered surveyor, to help find suitable premises and negotiate the deal.

Make sure you factor in all the costs before settling on a premises and check the contract terms carefully.